Recovery Ministry
to
Separated and Divorced
Catholics
You are not Alone
The Lord is your guard
and your shade . .
Psalm 121
Divorce Recovery Ministry
(213) 637-7249
[email protected]
IF YOU ARE SEPARATED OR DIVORCED,
THE CHURCH CARES ABOUT YOU!
Divorce has touched nearly every Catholic family in America. It is
a painful process that affects every facet of human existence, a
process in which many are hurt.
Separation and divorce are difficult and usually cause grievous
losses, yet this can be a time filled with potential for vibrant new
growth and responsiveness to grace.
In the 1981 Document Familiaris Consortio (On the Family) Pope
John Paul II wrote:
"I earnestly call upon pastors and the whole community of the
faithful to help the divorced and with solicitous care to make sure
that they do not consider themselves as separated from the Church,
for as baptized persons they can and indeed must share in her life. "
The mission of the Office of Family Life is to serve families in all
ways. Separated and Divorced Catholics and their children are an
integral part of who we are as family. Therefore, we urge everyone
involved in pastoral ministry to support, in a visible and caring way,
all those in need of healing and recovery from a separation or
divorce. The Office of Family Life is here to assist you by providing
training and resources.
Julie Auzenne
Separated and Divorced Consultant, Office of Family Life
(213) 637-7249
[email protected]
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SEPARATED & DIVORCED
CATHOLIC MINISTRY
VISION:
A faith family where Catholics suffering from broken relationships
will find a welcome home throughout the Archdiocese.
MISSION:
To be a Catholic Faith resource of spiritual help for families that are
hurting because of broken relationships.
PHILOSOPHY:
We are a concerned people on a healing journey toward healthy
relationships, who are available as sources of strength for others.
While we are working hard at getting our "houses in order," we also
seek the fulfillment of Jesus' promise: "that my joy may be yours, and
your joy may be complete." Our energies are directed toward
supporting, helping, enabling and empowering each other in that
journey. We wish to belong fully to our Faith Family, to be a gift that
inspires and a lesson by which others may learn and grow.
GOALS:
Our goal is to become a source of spiritual strength and wisdom; to
process the grief; to ease the pain; to give comfort and hope to those
recovering from separation, divorce or death of a spouse.
Spiritual Director:
Fr. Patrick J. Hill, MA, JCL, DMin
(213) 637-7889
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PEER TO PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
These groups provide:

Hope that there is a life after divorce

A place to come and share your story

Help in how a once-married person functions within the
Church

Available resources to help in the process of recovery

A place to come and learn from others

A place to further the spiritual, emotional, educational
and social welfare of Separated and Divorced Catholics
and their families.

ON GOING SUPPORT GROUPS
OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS REGION:
*****Wednesdays*****
PHOENIX MINISTRY
St. Monica, Santa Monica
(Meets on Wednesday 7:00pm8:30pm)
 Delis Alejandro
[email protected]
(310) 566-1531
 Steven Ministry
(310) 566-1575
Please call for schedule
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SAN FERNANDO REGION:
*****Tuesdays*****
NEW LEAF
St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park
Parish Center
(2nd & 4th Tuesdays
7:30pm)
 Bill Sparks
[email protected]
(818) 883-7810
*****Thursdays*****
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Newhall
Conference Center, Room 2
(1st & 3rd Thursdays)
 Joyce L’Heureux
[email protected]
(661) 296-7622
 Bob Maryon
(661) 225-1452
*****Fridays*****
St. John Eudes, Chatsworth
Grill Hall, Room C
(2nd & 4th Fridays at 8:00 pm)
 Kathy Tickner
(818) 349-9335
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SAN GABRIEL REGION:
***** Mondays *****
HEALING HEARTS
Immaculate Conception, Monrovia (1st & 3rd Mondays 7:00 pm)
Room 1A
 Julie Auzenne
[email protected]
(626) 357-6508
*****Thursdays*****
Holy Family, South Pasadena
(Thursdays, 7:30pm)
Mother Theresa Room of the Holy Family Pastoral Center
http://holyfamily.org/2247/divorced-and-separated-support-group/
 Holy Family Pastoral Center
 Terroi Lynn Doubet
 Bill Metzdorf
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(626) 799-8908
(818) 729-0577
(619) 301-4007
SAN PEDRO REGION:
*****Tuesdays*****
American Martyrs, Manhattan Beach
(1st & 3rd Tuesdays,
7:00pm – 9:00pm)
 Jenny Attanasio
[email protected]
(310) 545-5651
*****Thursdays*****
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Downey
Spanish
 Maria Paredes
[email protected]
(Thursdays,
7:00pm – 9:00pm)
(562) 397-6444
SANTA BARBARA REGION:
*****Fridays*****
HEALING TOGETHER
St. Rose of Lima, Simi Valley
Classroom 8
(1st & 3rd Friday)
www.strosesv.com/DSW.html
 Jean Jenners
[email protected]
 David Brown
[email protected]
(805) 526-1732
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RETREAT HOUSES
The following Retreat Houses may have annual weekends for
separated and divorced persons:

DePaul Evangelization Center
1105 Bluff Road
Montebello, CA 90640-6143
(323) 721-6060

Holy Spirit Retreat Center
4316 Lanai Road
Encino, CA 91436-3617
(818) 784-4518


La Casa de Maria
800 EI Bosque Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93108-1311
(805) 969-5031
Mary and Joseph Retreat Center
5300 Crest Road
Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275
(310) 377-4867
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
Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center
700 N. Sunnyside Avenue
Sierra Madre, CA 91024-1023
(626) 355-7188

Poverello Retreat Center
1519 Woodworth Street
San Fernando, CA 91340-2751
(818) 365-1071

Sacred Heart Retreat House
920 East Alhambra Road
Alhambra, CA 91801-2799
(626) 289-1353 Ext 200

Serra Retreat House
3401 Serra Road Box 127
Malibu, CA 90265-0127
(310)456-6631

Center for Spiritual Development
434 S. Batavia Street
Orange, CA 92868-3907
(714) 744-3175 ext. 4400
BEGINNING EXPERIENCE
The Beginning Experience is a weekend program designed
to help widowed, separated and divorced persons make a
new beginning in life. Although the program was designed
by and for Catholics, it is open to persons of all faiths. There
is now also Beginning Experience designed for young people.
Contact Persons:
President:
 Maria Rojas
(310) 365-0186
Registrar:
 Peg Setti
 Brenda Mikhail
(818) 767-1007
 Patti Rizzo
(661) 714-0998
Spanish:
 Maria Rojas
(310) 365-0186
(818) 352-5265
2016 DATES FOR BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKENDS:
February 5 - 7
June 3 - 5
September 16 - 18
Encino, CA
Encino, CA
Encino, CA
CONTINUED BEGINNINGS
Six (6) Week Session
Follow-Up Post Beginning Experience Weekends
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Separated & Divorced Ministry’s
Annual Gathering
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016
6:30pm
(Meet at the top of the driveway)
at
Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center
700 N. Sunnyside Avenue
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
For information contact:
Julie (213) 637-7249
[email protected]
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FACTS REGARDING DIVORCE
AND
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Separated/Divorced Catholics who have not remarried outside of
the Church may receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and
Reconciliation and participate fully in parish life.
Divorced/Remarried Catholics whether remarried in the Church or
not, are not excommunicated from the Church and are welcome to
attend Mass and to participate in their parish activities.
CATHOLIC DIVORCE MINISTRY
www.nacsdc.org
Region 14 Representative:
 Kelly A. Klaus, MA, LMFT
[email protected]
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT ANNULMENTS
What is an annulment?
The term "annulment" is a misnomer because the Church does not undo
or erase a marriage bond. Rather the Church issues declarations of nullity
when it discovers that the parties were not truly joined by God and hence
a full spiritual sacramental marriage as understood by the Church was not
present.
Why should I get a Declaration of Nullity?
People who have received a declaration of nullity have expressed feelings
of relief, wholeness and healing as a result of the process. For those who
have remarried outside of the Church, a Declaration of Nullity provides
the opportunity to exercise all the privileges, receive the grace the
sacraments offer and re-establish a closer bond with the community. This
is a process of understanding, healing, and of making the justice and
compassion of God more available to the divorced person.
How can I learn about a Declaration of Nullity?
You may approach your pastor, priest/deacon or the layperson in your
parish who has been trained in the process. If you encounter difficulties at
your own parish, you may seek a referral directly from the Tribunal.
How long does the marriage nullity process usually take?
The length of time varies from diocese to diocese, depending on the
number of pending petitions, the cooperation of involved parties and the
specific circumstances.
Can anybody petition?
All have a right to petition. Whether that petition can be granted depends
on the existence of recognized grounds for nullity and proof of same.
Metropolitan Tribunal
(213) 637-7245
Recovery Ministry
to
Separated and Divorced Catholics
Healing Together
By Will Limon
I’ve learned that loss creates space for something new.
Though I often feel alone, I know I’m not. Others around
me have experienced similar losses. We share a silent
kinship that gives us the opportunity to build new bonds
with each other.
I can share my emptiness and hurt by confiding in
others who have experienced a loss. My unhappiness was
created by the ending of a relationship. Building new,
healthy friendships may be the best way to help me heal
and become a healing force for others.
As I work to restore myself. I will share my process.
Together we can reveal our unhappiness, free our anger,
and let go of fear. United we can do what we cannot do
alone. Heal from our loss by finding life again.
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